Chapter 6: The Cultivation Methods of the Demonic Sect

As he stepped into the Library, he was immediately met by a man in his sixties lying listlessly in a rocking chair, basking in the sun while intently flipping through a Daoist tome.

The moment Lyu Yang entered, the old man looked over.

"Another newcomer," the old man said indifferently. "Go pick one out yourself. Just remember to follow the rules written inside; otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you if you die."

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior."

Lyu Yang cupped his hands in greeting and then walked toward the bookshelves.

Sure enough, as he approached, the disciple token at his waist seemed to sense something; a faint light emerged, and rows of text leaped into the air.

"Lyu Yang, disciple of Butian Peak."

"Eligible to receive the secret cultivation techniques of Butian Peak for free. Additionally, for your first technique exchange, you may opt for a zero-down-payment loan."

Without hesitation, Lyu Yang accepted.

In the next second, the contents of the technique appeared on the disciple token. Lyu Yang's mind quickly immersed itself in the text, and it took a long time before he regained his senses.

"Why is this technique divided into upper and lower volumes, just like the Innate Daoist Tome?" Recalling the ending of his previous life, Lyu Yang's expression turned grim. "The *Dragon-Tiger Great Joy Ode*. Upon perfection, one can refine a strand of Yin-Yang Dragon-Tiger Qi, ranking at the Fifth Grade. Theoretically, it is a technique that leads directly to Foundation Establishment..."

"But all I was given was the Qi Refining chapter!"

Having learned from his past life, Lyu Yang was extremely wary of such "eunuch" techniques—those that were cut off halfway through. For a moment, he even considered abandoning the cultivation altogether.

However, after a long period of contemplation, he sighed. "I still have to practice it."

If he practiced, there might be hidden dangers in the future.

If he didn't, there might not even *be* a future!

Moreover, this demonic technique was indeed profoundly mysterious; not only could it extract the target's essence, but it could also obtain the opponent's knowledge!

Techniques, divine abilities, experience—he could extract them all!

"Furthermore, cultivators tormented by this technique will gradually have their thoughts controlled by the practitioner, leading them to become utterly devoted and unable to extricate themselves. In the end, they fall into becoming the practitioner's puppets, even willing to die for them. It truly is an extremely sinister demonic technique..."

Lyu Yang studied the technique, silently comprehending it.

After another half hour, he attempted to circulate his energy. Two strands of True Qi flowed through his fingertips, constructing the image of a dragon and a tiger, faintly attempting to coalesce into a brand-new strand of True Qi...

"Ugh!"

In the next second, Lyu Yang's face turned pale, and the True Qi at his fingertips dissipated.

"I failed? That makes sense. Although I have mastered the theory, I haven't had any actual combat experience..."

Undeterred, Lyu Yang turned his gaze toward the dazzling array of bookshelves before him.

According to the rules of the Library, as a newly admitted formal disciple, he had one opportunity to exchange for a technique or divine ability via a zero-down-payment loan.

To Lyu Yang's surprise, the Library contained more than just demonic techniques.

There were many techniques clearly originating from righteous sects, covering an incredibly wide range of fields: divination, sword arts, Five Elements magic—it was truly everything under the sun.

"Minor Heaven-Intercepting Art, Supreme Taiyi Five Elements Orthodox Method, True Explanation of Longevity, Divine Firmament Sword Control Decree..."

After browsing for a long time, Lyu Yang finally made his choice.

"《Divine Firmament Sword Control Decree》. Price: 1,000 Contribution Points."

"Detected: First-time exchange. Zero-down-payment loan available. Annual interest rate of 36%, to be repaid over ten years. Do you wish to proceed with the exchange?"

How much?!?

Lyu Yang nearly cursed out loud. A 36% annual interest rate meant that with principal and interest, he would have to pay 460 contribution points every year. Over ten years, that would be 4,600 points!

Borrowing 1,000 to pay back 4,600?

They were sucking him dry!

"Wait... I'm different!"

Lyu Yang's eyes suddenly lit up. A high-interest loan with no down payment might be a death trap for others, but for him, it didn't matter at all.

At worst, he could just "restart." What did a loan from his previous life have to do with him?

Therefore, as long as he wanted, he could essentially "freeload" the techniques and divine abilities in the Library!

Since he had no intention of paying it back, Lyu Yang became much more composed. With a grand wave of his hand, he purchased the 《Divine Firmament Sword Control Decree》 via loan without even blinking.

Then, something unexpected happened.

When he had obtained the secret demonic technique earlier, the contents were provided directly. However, this time, Lyu Yang only received a message

"The technique is being dispatched. It is expected to arrive at your cave dwelling within three days."

"Please wait patiently."

Looking at the message on his disciple token, Lyu Yang was somewhat puzzled. What did "technique is being dispatched" mean? Was this technique a unique copy that hadn't been transcribed?

That said, Lyu Yang believed the Initial Saint Sect wouldn't go so far as to swallow his technique.

Before leaving, he sought out the old man at the entrance of the Library again.

"Senior..."

Just as Lyu Yang bowed, the old man in the rocking chair spoke: "I wouldn't call myself a Senior. I am also a disciple of this sect; I'm just a little older than you."

Lyu Yang was stunned for a moment, then corrected himself: "Senior Brother, do you know if there are any death row prisoners in the sect suitable for us to use for practicing techniques?"

Being in a demonic sect, Lyu Yang naturally had no thoughts of being a "pure lotus in a muddy pond," nor did he shy away from practicing demonic arts. He would utilize anything that could make him stronger.

The old man glanced at Lyu Yang and suddenly asked, "Did you purchase a technique via loan?"

Lyu Yang paused, then nodded.

"Then you don't need to worry about that."

At this point, a meaningful smile appeared on the old man's face. "While these technique loans are loathsome, they aren't without benefits..."

"Go back and wait!"

Lyu Yang returned to his cave dwelling, utterly bewildered.

However, he soon understood why the 《Divine Firmament Sword Control Decree》 required time for delivery, and what the "benefit" the old man mentioned actually was.

Three days later, a chest was delivered to the entrance of Lyu Yang's cave dwelling.

Lyu Yang carried the chest inside and opened it.

There, he saw a heroic woman with a curvaceous figure and sharp, phoenix-like eyes, her hands and feet bound, stuffed into the center of the chest.

Though she couldn't be described as a peerless beauty, she was naturally exquisite.

Her face was bare of any rouge, which instead lent her an air of transcendent elegance.

Furthermore, because she had been in the stiflingly hot chest for too long, her body was covered in glistening beads of sweat, which rolled down her fair neck and into her bodice.

"Demonic path!"

The woman looked at Lyu Yang, her eyes filled with a desire to tear him into a thousand pieces. At the same time, as she realized her fate, a look of despair washed over her beautiful face.

Seeing this, Lyu Yang frowned. "Are you... a disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion?"

"So what if I am?" The woman closed her beautiful eyes, and two lines of clear tears slowly rolled down her pale cheeks. "Just kill me!"

Only then did Lyu Yang have an epiphany.

The 《Divine Firmament Sword Control Decree》 was the secret divine ability of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, the leader of the righteous path in the South. He had previously wondered how the Initial Saint Sect had obtained it.

Now he understood.

A demonic technique could replicate the target's knowledge and experience, and the Initial Saint Sect had simply provided him with an actual formal disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.

In other words, if he wanted the 《Divine Firmament Sword Control Decree》, he only had to torment her.

"In this way, they both impart the technique and solve the problem of disciples needing Dao companions for cultivation. It kills two birds with one stone; it's truly the maximization of utility..."

Making the most of everything—this was indeed the style of a Saint Sect.

Compared to the bitter cultivation of the righteous sects, who practiced in the freezing winter and the sweltering summer, this was the true way of the demonic path.